Our Emmerdale coverage

We make sure that you’re always fully up to date on any cast changes, plot developments and Emmerdale spoilers!

We also create biographies of the soap’s key stars, including Emma Atkins (who plays Charity Dingle), Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) and many more.

You will never miss any Emmerdale spoilers, news and gossip with What’s On TV if you bookmark this page.

When did Emmerdale start?

Originally known as Emmerdale Farm, the first episode hit British screens on ITV in 1972.

Why did people love Emmerdale?

Set in a picturesque farming village of the Yorkshire Dales, Emmerdale has won over audiences with its unique mix of rural life and high drama.

Back in the days when it was known as Emmerdale Farm, it first revolved around the conflict between the farming family, the Sugdens, and the wealthy Tate dynasty.

Over the years, the Dingle and King families were introduced from the nearby village of Beckindale and the soap became known simply as Emmerdale in 1989.

For a small rural village, Emmerdale has had its fair share of disasters: From the now infamous plane crash in 1993, to armed robberies, shootings, explosions, fearsome storms and far more road accidents than you would expect for a village with one road.

When wealthy businessman Tom King (Ken Farrington) was murdered in 2007, Emmerdale producers created the first ever interactive storyline for a major TV show. Viewers could investigate 10 suspicious characters, using clues on their website, before the killer was revealed during an hour-long episode of the show.

Early in 2008, Emmerdale tragically lost one of its longest-serving citizens, Jack Sugden, when actor Clive Hornby suddenly died.

Emmerdale continues to be hugely popular. Among the more recent drama has been Moira’s passionate affair with farmhand Nate under the nose of her husband Cain. While viewers became enthralled with the on-off romance between Aaron Dingle and Robert Sudden. The pair were even given their own nickname – Robron – by enthralled fans!